| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 7 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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The dynamics of epidemics can be used to impart an intuitive understanding of what it means to say a policy has "high leverage." Students can be tasked with conducting policy analysis to determine the leverage points in preventing an infectious illness from becoming an epidemic. Along the way they will learn why well-intensioned but low-leverage policies in real life often fail to have the desired effects in complex systems.
For some illness/disease, symptoms appear long after initial infection. Sometimes people travel great distance while infected because they are unaware of the infection. Medical "detectives" faced with an epidemic must understand how the infection spreads and how quickly. Delays in the system make this more difficult. |
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Link to the file: http://www.iseesystems.com
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| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 6 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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In the classroom example provided in this section, the author lists many "potential systems problems" that are related to the issue of overpopulation. As an extension exercise, students can be asked to identify ways in which people have attempted to solve these related problems. Did the solutions address the underlying population issue in any way? Were they successful interventions? In complex systems, proposed solutions that do not recognize and address the underlying dynamics that need to be changed are low-leverage policies; they usually fail to achieve any significant change in the overall behavior of the system. Students can be asked to undertake a similar analysis in their own investigation of a news story. |
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 PDF
Link to the simulation: http://www.iseesystems.com
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| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 10 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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There are several characteristics of complex systems that can be discussed with students during these lessons. The fictitious city seems to face a dilemma; the tanning industry provides needed jobs in the present, but water pollution can cause serious detrimental effects over the long term. This is closely coupled with the idea that cause and effect in complex systems are often separated by time and space.
In the case of pollution, contamination can take decades to produce measurable effects. In the meantime, the range of impact can spread far from the initial source via transport in water, wind, etc. Finally, the lesson mentions that tanning has been outsourced from this country to developing countries; a classic case of "shifting the burden." Rather than allowing the true costs of tanning to be reflected in the prices of the finished goods, the industry itself escapes pressure to reform by sending the negative consequences to other, less regulated countries. |
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PDF
Link to the simulation: http://www.iseesystems.com
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| Model Mysteries: An Exploration of Vampires, Zombies, and Other Fantastic Scenarios to Make the World a Better Place |
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Author(s):
Anne LaVigne, & Lees Stuntz |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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This book contains six main chapters, each with a new mystery to solve. Each chapter has a number of similar stories to try, depending on your interest. The modeling activities are intended for students from ages 10 to 110. In other words, if you’re interested in thinking about how to solve mysteries and like the idea of creating computer models and applying them to real-world problems, this book is for you. You can use it independently as a student, work with a group of students, or if you’re a teacher, share it with interested students to complete a guided or independent study project.
In addition to the main chapters, Chapter 7 provides an extension to build additional capacity in modeling, and Chapter 8 includes next steps, additional resources, and information about modeling software. You can also reference the appendices for details about completing the chapter mysteries.
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| Making Friends for Primary Students (Grades K-3) |
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Author(s):
Anne LaVigne, & Lindsey Buckler |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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This lesson is very similar to the “Making Friends” lesson in The Shape of Change. The main difference is the wording of the questions, the handouts, and the activity rules, which are aimed at younger students. In addition, a simple online simulation is available as an extension. Students explore what happens to the number of friends over time, given different scenarios for gaining new friends. Students can also explore what might happen if they lose friends. |
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 Zipped (Models & PDF)
Link to the simulation: http://www.clexchange.org/curriculum/shapeofchange/soc_2_Friendship.asp
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| Living Lands — Forest and Town Simulation |
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Author(s):
Anne LaVigne, & Jen Andersen |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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This lesson with multi-user simulation explores the management of a national forest and its surrounding towns. Student teams log in and make decisions for a local town or for the surrounding forest that has a large level of accumulated fuel. The decisions of individual teams impact all other teams. Damage from potentially catastrophic fires looms, and students must try to manage the situation to protect the area, both now and into the future. |
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| Linear Systems Using STELLA |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher |
Subject:
Math |
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From CC-STADUS. Semi-complex STELLA tutorial. Involves train robbery, Star Trek, and camping. |
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PDF
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| Linear Models in STELLA |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher, & Rogers |
Subject:
Math |
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From CC-STADUS. Introductory tutorial exercises using STELLA II for high school math. Involves distance, car depreciation and jumping out of an airplane. |
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Zipped (Models & PDF)
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| Let It Roll! An Interdisciplinary Middle School Math/Science Unit Using a STELLA Model of the Physics of Motion |
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Author(s):
Rob Quaden, J. Trierweiler, & D. Lyneis |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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In this unit eighth graders first conduct a physics of motion laboratory experiment and then try to understand the behavior using model building, math reasoning and scientific reasoning. |
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Zipped (Models & PDF)
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| Lessons in Mathematics: A Dynamic Approach |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher |
Subject:
Math |
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The abstractness of a traditional approach to mathematics causes many students to falter. This book focuses on making the abstractness more concrete with interesting and fun lessons. It uses STELLA software's icon-based, non-abstract language to structure |
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More about the book at: http://www.iseesystems.com/store/college_university/MathBook.aspx
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